We have only a nominal democracy if a prime minister can wage a war of aggression and potentially trigger a third world war without even consulting our elected representatives (Corbyn demands private briefing before any military action, 13 April).
Peter McKenna
Liverpool
• Was it perversity or ignorance that led Peter Bradshaw (Film review, 13 April) to ignore Robert Bresson’s first colour film, A Gentle Woman, when reviewing the 2017 version of Dostoyevsky’s A Gentle Creature? The new movie departs greatly from the original short story and runs almost 100 minutes longer than Bresson’s masterpiece.
Brian Baxter
Bournemouth, Dorset
• Sandra Jensen (Letters, 12 April), in response to Will Self’s review, lists several ways in which dogs and cats can be “productive”. I have recently discovered that including a photo of a puppy in an email almost guarantees a rapid reply. I’m considering a new business practice. “Your payment is now overdue. Image of puppy attached.”
Brian O’Callaghan
Sonning, Berkshire
• How wonderful that the remains of the author of “Water, water every where, nor any drop to drink” should be found in a wine cellar (Report, 13 April).
Fr Alec Mitchell
Manchester
• I was trained for the Anglican ministry at Tyndale Hall, Bristol. A generous founder-benefactor was Dame Violet Wills (Letters, 12 April). One of the strict college rules was, by her edict: “No smoking.”
Rev George Greenhough
Selby, North Yorkshire
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
